The Waiting Room by Robert Aickman

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[@FrankJMarr]

Getting into Aickman. Thanks for recording and sharing. Same goes for Ringing the Changes.

[@rameyzamora1018]

In this story, which is almost an autobiographical essay, Aickman made me feel the cold, remember how many times I'd had to bed down uncomfortably on too short a pallet, & been met with hostility by someone I'd hoped could help me. It was realistic for me & so it is memorable. Beautifully, quietly read, Tony.

[@tokatulu]

Indeed, that feeling of anxiety when you realize you have to put your faith and trust in a complete stranger is so profound and unnerving. Helplessness is itself true horror, and helplessness met by hostility is hell.

[@zoyablake9538]

@@tokatulu a short piece of writing, but so atmospheric.

[@mlsg8]

😊 36:35 6😮í😊

[@mlsg8]

😊😊😊

[@SamuelBlack84]

I've learned through very bitter experience that absolutely nobody is on your side and couldn't care less what happens to you I was once encouraged to treat everyone else like they wanted to kill you And they are so right

[@martinmucha4858]

Aickman: so underated. So much elegance in style and narrative cohesion. One of the great masters of all time

[@martinmucha4858]

@@stewartlancaster6155 thx

[@dogstaraycliffe]

I saw this performed Live in a double bill with Charles Dickens The Signalman at what was Darlington Civic Theatre, now refurbished and renamed Hippodrome it was a splendid night out.

[@ClassicGhost]

I'd have liked to have been there

[@jasperfen3754]

I only recently discovered Robert aikman a few months ago. I rapidly discovered I loved him. Meeting Mr Jones and the same dog are among my favorite stories. After listening to this the first time I thought to myself that this was a strangely conventional ghost story for Robert aikman. After listening to it again I wondered if it actually had more in common with the story of The Little match girl. Not sure but I appreciate the story more on the second listening.

[@ClassicGhost]

Interesting. Possibly I picked this one as the first Aickman because it was more conventional. It is a bit like a Walter de la Mare story called "Crewe"

[@stardust949]

I don't object. Loved this story...very atmospheric. Never heard of it before, so you're really providing a service here as well as entertainment. I also enjoy hearing about the author's lives in your personal comments. I think the neck-jerking porter "picked up" somebody's hanging death from that waiting room---and the room is a threshold between the worlds. Brrrr!

[@trishbirchard1270]

Oooohh !!!

[@yesterdayitrained]

I love the word you used to describe that room, it’s perfect- threshold!

[@nancynickerson4341]

A great story, very well read. Thank you!

[@altacrawford5116]

Love the stories and as much or more your accompanying commentaries. New fan and sharing my enthusiasm for the many gifts you are sharing with us.

[@earthcat]

The ability to read aloud is a wonderful gift. Thank you for sharing your gift with all of us, Tony.

[@jacksonmyers3187]

Aickman is criminally underappreciated. Thank you so much for this.

[@ClassicGhost]

He’s up there at the top for me

[@noahhecker6672]

This was a beautiful story. Nearly brought me to tears

[@rattyrachel4316]

Loved this story! As you noted, subtle; I would add, sophisticated. No cracked skulls, no blood, just a slow, chilling angst that you can’t -and don’t want to - escape. I’m an Aiken fan now. Thanks, for the story, and a great presentation, Tony! (As always, the afterwords were interesting, enlightening and enjoyable.)

[@MartiWilliams-r2z]

Materful ,Tony, also this time around, now 3 years later. Much needed. Thank you.

[@ClassicGhost]

Three years! I might have to retire soon

[@MartiWilliams-r2z]

@@ClassicGhost Please don't Tony! I am having both phone and computer issues. You hold me to sanity, :0)

[@martiwilliams4592]

Chilling, gripping--so cold I had to cover myself with a warm blanket, ..in July! Thank you for introducing us to Aickman. Will try to buy one of his books. Your presentation is brilliant, Please continue what you do for us. All your hard work. Thank you.

[@BigDog366]

You have the perfect voice for this kind of story. I was completely enthralled by the narration and there with the poor chap in the waiting room. There is something incredibly poignant about railway stations. If buildings capture emotion, then they must be soaked in regret and loss as well as anticipation and happiness. I think the porter saw different ghosts to the main character. He was an unpleasant man, so his experience was very unpleasant. Our narrator seemed a nice chap, so his niceness was reflected back at him in the way the ghosts seemed to him. Thank you so much for posting this one. Again, a bitterly cold night in New Zealand was made rather pleasant for a while.

[@ClassicGhost]

Very nice comment too. Thank you for taking the time

[@yesterdayitrained]

Lovely comment and wonderful insight- thank you!

[@linesser5058]

So this story, The Waiting Room- confirms R. Aickman as my favorite 'Ghost/weird tales' author. Thanks to and in no small part responsible for my discovery; Mr. Tony Walker. Keep em' coming.

[@merxeddie6474]

My childhood reading was dominated by the William books and The Pan Book of Horror Stories edited by the evocatively named Herbert Van Thal. Its so nice to reconnect with the genre after fifty years.Thank you so much.

[@rayswoop4947]

Wow anything Pan I'm into, sure would like to read those anthologies

[@vintagebrew1057]

I was given a load by my aunt in the 70's. Fantastic stories. Many stories stayed with me. The book covers were really gruesome!

[@sevenman9672]

@@rayswoop4947 All of them have been uploaded to the Luminist Archives.

[@EnCryptedHorror]

I love Aickman!! Please do 'The Trains'!!!

[@ClassicGhost]

That is a very unnerving, weird story that unsettles me but I don't know why. I really want to do The Hospice. When he gets into that room with that weird bloke and it's dark and he can't find a door out (because there isn't one...) And they just eat all the time!!! Why??

[@EnCryptedHorror]

@@ClassicGhost Yeah, it's great. I had the idea the hospice was like a waiting room in itself. You just eat rich food to keep your dead senses alive. Or something. I had it all worked out when I read it 🤣 Ditto Meeting Mr Millar where the whole house is a metaphor for a change of heart. Ooh, and The Same Dog too. Anyway...I'll stop enthusing now.

[@sarahsamaria8283]

Love the way the cold winter is described. Beautiful, evocative words. For me the waiting room is the place where the deads wait for judgement. The character has a glimpse of afterlife.

[@nicholasvalentine2428]

Good narrating: nice even speed of delivery, calm, no errors, it really put you in that chilly waiting room.

[@highgoat6474]

Great story! Thank you for a good reading.

[@kayfletcher4169]

Love Robert Aickman’s strange stories. I have read this story in one of his collections so it’s nice hearing your rendition of it. One of his most straightforward ‘ghost’ stories I think, some of them are really impenetrable, but always enjoyably so.

[@Shimmy246]

Excellent reading of an excellent story. Thank you

[@donaldmccleary9015]

Great story and narration. Thanks! This is a great, well-written story. It is very relaxing, too. I fell asleep and had to listen to it again. The narration is so soothing. This story is a true gem. I'm looking forward to hearing more from this author.

[@eleshasmith6064]

Thank you so much for this. Aickman is indeed the master, unlike anyone else.

[@martiwilliams4592]

Just chilling, gripping also this time. Have Aickman's "Dark Entries" , Your informative, interesting, thought-provoking commentary. Much needed and appreciated. Thank you, Tony.

[@GinaW7061]

Another great spooky reading . Many thanks

[@rebeccawoolfolk5377]

I really like this story. The ghosts seem so peaceful. I don't think I'd develop a twitch after meeting them.

[@lisawhite-pagano3455]

Can’t wait to listen to this! Thank you!

[@thepageburnner3534]

Man your killing it thanks for all the great stories.!!

[@ClassicGhost]

I’m taking a rest soon

[@scoutrifle6827]

For what it's worth, I *thought* I was pretty well-informed on golden era ghost stories, but I'm off to buy Aickman books solely due to this reading.

[@ClassicGhost]

He’s very good

[@613karen]

Exquisite. Fascinating story, perfectly read. Thank you.

[@gillfinlayson7894]

Oh well done! After your incursion into canals with Tom Rolt, In so glad that you have introduced new ghost devotees to Aickman! Beautifully read and a joy to listen to, thank you. One day, visit Tardebigge Top Lock and enjoy the location of the first meet up between the two men in 1946 where the beginnings of the IWA were first mooted. We have so much to thank them for, whether saving the canal network plus their wonderfully creative writings. But I have spoken of this to you before! My adopted home town of Bromsgrove hasn't much to boast of, but we do have the Tardebigge lock Flight and the steepest sustained main-line railway incline in the UK in the locale. I like to think the two men were influenced by both in their writings. (Enjoy a good lunch at the Queen's Head by the canal at Stoke Pound afterwards......) Might I mention something that you, and your fans, may enjoy? Look up North Edinburgh Nightmares on KZbin. John Tantalon is a master story teller, like your good yourself, and it just gets better. All the tales are of real incidents in the Edinburgh area. I even relate the tale of something that happened to me in a personal spooky incident in Edinburgh New Town. Pleased to hear that you are managing to travel. Hoping to do so myself in September. More ghosts to seek out in sunny Scotland Fingers crossed! Thank you again for this. Sorry can't share this one far & wide. Mums the word, but I'll whisper about it to a couple of close friends. 🤫 Thank you again. I do love a ghostly train station. Brilliant and cheers! 🥃

[@trishbirchard1270]

I really enjoyed this - So much fun to lie here and fall under the spell of the narrative - and almost be rocked to sleep - almost ! Now , I have to get up and " face it ."

[@markmiller7761]

Another wonderful tale and reading I missed!

[@yolandaaranda653]

I so enjoy listening to your rambling and story telling. Enjoy your trip. Thank you for sharing some podcast s you like. Cheers from Oakland CA.

[@AndreaDingbatt]

This has to be One of my very favorite ghost stories,,,💞 ~apart from those you have written yourself!! I wish I could hit the Like Button Every time I re-listen to These!!😎👍 Thank you so much Tony,,,your Skills as a Weaver of Words and Author/Narrator are second to none!!☺️💞 I cannot thank you enough for the magical distraction you are providing, as I'm sitting up with my dear friend Jasper Mutt, 🐕💞 (This is approx 48 hours now.) ...XxX ..

[@jaceek2030]

Mr. Walker, I really enjoy your chats at the end of your readings. Thank you for sharing your time and talent with us. I must add I am a bit envious of your castle stay. My dream vacation is to visit one someday. Haunted (purported or not) would be even better!

[@ClassicGhost]

Just back. It was great. I can recommend it

[@fantasycreatesreality2526]

Great narration of a great story. Loved this, and the rambling notes at the end.

[@cindychurch335]

Thank you Tony, I enjoyed the story! I’ve been to Corbridge. Went to a charming pub called The Black Bull and had pan fried lamb. Roaring fire and cosy. Enjoy your holiday. X

[@libertycowboy2495]

Good tale. Very much enjoyed

[@reneelascala5050]

Another fine performance. Perfectly paced reading.

[@susanotway7875]

Excellent story. Thanks Tony. Another great one.

[@ohitbe3616]

Brilliant, this 👏

[@puca7908]

I don't know for a certain, but I believe that copy wright protects against someone profiting financially from someone else's work. I think simply reading brings no harm. I'd never read this author before, but I really enjoyed this story. I do wish a bit more was revealed about the first porter, why he would subject an innocent party to not only the freezing cold, but to ghosts! It did leave me with the idea that Mr. Pendlebre might physically suffer as a result of his night spent in the old waiting room?

[@newromantico]

Maybe... the first porter was a ghost... who had been hanged at the old prison; hence the twist/twitch of his neck...

[@violetfemme411]

Another favorite author...yay 👍❤

[@johnhindes9020]

Wonderful storey and narration 11 out of ten

[@ufosrus]

Beautifully written and narrated. Aickman is very unique in his approach to ghost stories and I'm only familiar with his short stories the Hospice and The Cicerones which are even more strange than this one.

[@donaldkelly3983]

Robert Aickman is one of my heroes!

[@ClassicGhost]

He is excellent

[@janetcw9808]

I understand the unease that you have mentioned, like the off kilter backdrops/sets in The Cabinet of Dr Caligari. Have a great time away Xxx

[@shirleypearl2166]

Excellant felt like I was there .thank u 💜🙏

[@SnakeMagobei]

A great reading of my all time favourite writer, and a Psychomania sample on the intro! Instant sub!

[@ClassicGhost]

Ha ha ! Welcome

[@pamelacorbett8774]

Love your talk at the end, and the story. Keep it up!👏

[@ClassicGhost]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@anindk2049]

Thanks for another beautiful narration and the recommendations. I have bought and thoroughly enjoyed your book (London Horror Stories) on Audible.

[@ClassicGhost]

Wonderful! Thank you.

[@jeremypearson6852]

Anything can happen in a British Rail waiting room, it doesn’t need to be haunted to be scary! I’ve been gone from the UK since the 80’s, but I used to commute daily from Southend to Fenchurch St. I don’t miss it. Keep up the good work. Listening in South Florida.

[@ClassicGhost]

British Rail! Those were the days

[@Mi-yc3oy]

TUVM for another excellent reading 🥂

[@ClassicGhost]

You're welcome Michelle

[@peterclose3772]

My god another little. Treasure found between bedtime stories/dark histories and now this i am 1 very happy man even i am self isolating due to covid

[@ClassicGhost]

Hope you are well

[@watermelonman3000]

Nice reading. And I like your after-commentary too. Subbed!

[@BarbaraJV1]

I love this story. I agree, it does have an MRJames feel about it … another favourite of mine. Really getting into this channel whilst I’m working 🙏

[@SunnySmile-fr5yg]

Awesome reading 👌

[@stevenshipman650]

Really good one! 😊

[@stevecausey545]

I read this years ago.great job reading it. It's an incredibly lost lonely feeling to be stranded in a train station...ghosts or not.

[@leslieriddle5985]

Please update about possible merch! I so want an everybody dies don't they and you tried to open the locked room didn't you shirt!

[@ClassicGhost]

I need to get to 10k subs first. Currently at 9.52

[@leslieriddle5985]

It won't take long I'm sure 💜

[@julielevinge266]

What an amazing story! Now that’s what I call a ghost story! Many thanks for reading this, can’t imagine anyone could object to you reading this? Especially as famous stories are being re-written by authors of today, I personally hate it but If copyright allows it why not. Enjoyed this immensely thanks.✊♥️

[@ClassicGhost]

It's not so much the authors that mind (especially when they are dead). It's the people who want to make money from their work. But this is a labour of love for me.

[@xaraxania]

You have a lovely reading voice 😊

[@onepiecefan74]

Fantastic! You guys really need to do Robert Aickmans "Ringing the Changes". The master best work yet it has no audio adaptation.

[@ClassicGhost]

I have recorded it twice but both times the recordings went wrong. It’s a long story so then I gave up. But I may do it again now

[@onepiecefan74]

@@ClassicGhost There must be some sinister power at work keeping that master piece un heard.

[@appalachianamerican7171]

I just recently discovered this channel, its f-ing great man! Now I just have to space it out, so I can savor the horror. 💀

[@jbos5107]

My husband loves the travel shows about the canal boats in England. I believe it's the one thing that he would like to do if we could ever afford it. I wonder if there are any ghost stories set on the canals. I'm not really familiar with a lot of the stories or authors you read but I do enjoy them. I dream of the dead quite a lot now. Maybe it's just age or loss. I've had enough of both as I am sure many others have as well.

[@ClassicGhost]

Yes there are! Check out Bosworth Summit Pound in this channel

[@fishing4comedy2day]

There is one called, "Three Miles Ahead"

[@jbos5107]

@@ClassicGhostI don't know how I missed your reply 2 years ago. Thank you!

[@jbos5107]

@@fishing4comedy2day Thank you, I'll be looking for it.

[@ClassicGhost]

@@jbos5107 Yes I’ve done 2 canal stories . three miles ahead and boweorrhnsummit poin

[@carin1000]

The impression I had was that the protagonist was close to dying from the cold, and that's what he had in common with the ghosts but also why he couldn't quite reach out to them. I think that was also part of the reason for the morning shift guy's concern

[@ClassicGhost]

This is a pretty tame story for Aickman, not his full-on weird and unsettling usual work.

[@hilaryeales1268]

Don't be worrying, I'll bake you a cake with a file in it 😉

[@rattyrachel4316]

Clever! You made me chuckle. 👍

[@sarzib3246]

Im waiting... Trains. Byyyyye

[@alfredthorne4315]

Beautifully read. I really enjoyed this creepy tale.

[@angeloofpalermo2612]

The "bridge", is often the entry to the otherworld in myth. Zoroastrianism has this imagery too. A beautiful woman or hag upon it would greet you depending on your choices! . I Like Roberts merging of dreams with waking reality, a bit like where you see a figure when half asleep. Perhaps dreams are the waiting room, they can be unexplained, coincidental too.

[@janetcw9808]

I'm not as academic as you, I am listening to your points. Good wishes.

[@ClassicGhost]

I love your analysis. Keep ‘em coming

[@tokatulu]

You read them all properly!

[@vanillasuncherries]

Listening in 2024 after being cross eyed from working till 4 am 🎉❤

[@julielevinge266]

Your voice is perfect for narration for these. Shame I only heard of you through U Tube you have considerable talent yourself. Please give details of where I can get hold of your books? Good to support writers that I feel I know( through your channel) always have many interesting facts to give us. Very enjoyable✊♥️

[@ClassicGhost]

Thank Julie. Are you looking for audiobooks or paperbacks? I can supply audiobooks, you might need to go to the Book Depository for my paperbacks.

[@shadetreader]

All trains should rightfully be our trains.

[@ClassicGhost]

I was on one yesterday that was delayed. I told them it was mine. Actually the driver and guard were lovely.

[@lastofthe4horsemen279]

A lot of times its the misery we remember😂

[@hangawara]

How about reading Bram Stoker's Crooken Sands🤔

[@ClassicGhost]

i’ll put it on the list :)

[@fluffyfour]

Thank you for this. Lovely way to spend an overheated afternoon. Is there any chance you could do 'The Haunted House' by Charles Dickens? Such lovely phrasing and humour, to which you would do great credit.

[@ClassicGhost]

I'll check it out! I will do it at some point. I have a long list though :)

[@JFWILSON220]

Love your Aickman audios, I have heard there is a Aickman story called Wood, is this story available in any RB book or anthology collections?....is it a story you would consider reading on youtube, or is there any other Aickman stories in the pipeline?

[@ClassicGhost]

I don’t know. I will do more Aickman soon.

[@bryine.willis8683]

Friday

[@ClassicGhost]

I'm in love. Was just listening to that.

[@ritamartin4782]

It must be a very high mortality rate for train travel then!

[@Rynewulf]

Alright ive got to admit, the bit at the end where you chat to the audience is really charming

[@suecondon1685]

Have you done The Trains? I read it today, very unnerving 😳

[@ClassicGhost]

i know the story . like all Aikman it is unnerving i the extreme :)

[@princesskenyetta4745]

Ideas must be free. There is no such thing as intellectual property. The Earth will take all information back eventually.

[@jasoncoker1625]

❤🤘

[@johnryan3913]

Brilliant piece of fiction. I almost don't need the explanatory ending. The dream is quite seductive. Are you familiar with Charles Williams?

[@ClassicGhost]

I am. One of the inklings

[@johnryan3913]

@@ClassicGhost Glad to hear, just finished War In Heaven.

[@mijiyoon5575]

👍👍👍👍👍👻

[@pamedwards352]

Can barely hear this, even at top volume

[@julielevinge266]

Think your view of Londoners is a little out of date as the city is now so cosmopolitan! The niggles between north & south are as old as the hills & find northerners give as good as they get? Thinking of southerners as soft & pampered? As some of the worst poverty existed & still does exist in London this is hard to fathom. Have lived in both north & south & find both warm & welcoming( once they’ve got to know you😉) ( nowt so queer as folk😃)

[@jacquelinerobson5434]

P

[@julielevinge266]

Cannot work out where your from? Your accent is northern, but you have considerable knowledge of the south??? Maybe I’ve missed the piece where you tell us of your roots????

[@ClassicGhost]

I lived in London for 7 years and travelled around the S of England. I'm too far to casually wander around Kent and Sussex now, not to mention Dorset and Wiltshire, but I would like to.

[@altacrawford5116]

Love the stories and as much or more your accompanying commentaries. New fan and sharing my enthusiasm for the many gifts you are sharing with us.

[@ClassicGhost]

Welcome aboard!